Have you ever been surprised, shocked or sandbagged by some negative thought, some moment of discouragement, depression, or fear that just nearly overwhelmed you? Maybe it was anxiety, maybe obsessive thoughts about hurt, maybe shame; those thoughts that the devil will use to defeat us. They come like a thief, to steal, kill, and destroy.… Continue Reading
https://youtu.be/ayqeX6iSo7Q?feature=shared How do we overcome cognitive distortions or stinking thinking? Here are some tips to work from the outside in and the inside out. Continue Reading
https://youtu.be/8bhDR60WsuA?feature=shared Mountaintop experiences are great. We need them every once in an awhile to regroup, refresh, and revive. But we are called to live there. God does His best work in us and with us while we are in the valley. Look at 1 Kings 18:16-46 When I focus in the emotional high I… Continue Reading
Divide and Conquer (warning, may be my longest blog ever.) 2 Chronicles 20:15 — “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” I had a conversation with a young mother on Easter Sunday morning. She was distraught. Her baby was very sick, but her… Continue Reading
https://youtu.be/QpB7WFC_1u0?feature=shared Sometimes we just get too busy. As Doris’s dad would have said, “That ain’t no good!” It’s not healthy. You’re not happy. And it’s not holy. So, what do I do when I recognize I’m too busy? Here are a few things that might help. Take a break and watch this. 😂 How to… Continue Reading
Chonda and I, and our two sisters, used to play games when we were travelling in the car with our parents. Those were the days before iPads and other screens to keep kids occupied. They were also the days before car seats, seat belts, and AC. Come to think of it, they might have been… Continue Reading
I’m not sure if I posted Day 2. I thought I did. 🙂 Just in case, all three days are here. This is a form to help in daily, intentional self-reflection. Spend 2 to 10 minutes on each question, 1 form per day, 12-50 minutes each day, and ask yourself some hard questions during Holy… Continue Reading
https://youtu.be/qcfZFVVHszE?feature=shared Click the link above for the MondayMatters video. During Holy Week we often look at spiritual discipline and consider things we can do to deepen our walk and increase our faith. The idea of self-reflection, self-examination is often uncomfortable and certainly underused. But this week is a wonderful time to look inward, allow the… Continue Reading
3/19/24 Lent Psalm 85 Cherished Terms Many years ago, Richard Parrot wrote a fascinating paper on Cherished Terms. He said there are certain terms in every discipline, but particularly in the church, that have a special relationship with that body of people. They are words that have a meaning, apart from the definition, steeped in… Continue Reading
3/14/24 Lent Psalm 80 Doris and I are at an age in life where every statement we make at home is answered by “what?” “Did you get the mail today?” “What?” “I need to go to the grocery store.” “What did you say?” “When did you have your hearing checked?” “What about cashing a… Continue Reading